Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program

LAST QUARTER OF 2011 ACTIVITIES

2012-02-09T11:04:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the late posting but we are pleased to report activities that were completed before end of 2011. Thank you to our donors!

WYETH ASSISTS PITTLAND ES

Last year, used batteries from PBSP member company Wyeth Philippines, Inc. – Canlubang Plant were able to generate funds to improve the water and sanitation facilities of Pittland Elementary School in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Pittland ES has total of 340 enrollees and 8 teachers.

The upgrade of their 8 toilets consisted of installing 2 new PVC doors, provision of 7 new toilet bowls with flush and replacement of water pipelines. The school mobilized labor needed during the improvement works as counterpart.

Aside from providing better access to water and sanitation facilities, the project will surely help in reducing health risks associated with poor hygiene and sanitation.

Wyeth Philippines, Inc. is an affiliate of Pfizer Nutrition, a leading global provider of infant formulas and other nutritional products for children.

SRPC SCHOOLS BENEFIT FROM BALIK BATERYA

San Roque Power Corporation (SRPC) turned over a total of 10.37 tons of ULABs to the Program. This in turn made possible the donation of 318 Science textbooks books to its 3 adopted schools in the mountains of San Nicolas and San Manuel, Pangasinan. These schools are Cabayawasan ES, San Cristobal ES and San Vicente ES.

In Cabayawasan ES, the library was also renovated and was provided with TV and DVD player. The donation also came with ABS CBN Foundation Educational TV complete DVD package.

This educational assistance will benefit the 3 schools’ 176 pupils and 9 teachers and improve access of these schools to quality education.

SRPC is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the power-generating facility of the San Roque Multi-Purpose Project, which has an installed capacity of 345 MW.

56 PUPILS BENEFIT FROM TAP’s YR. 2 SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING PROJECT

For its second year, Toyota Auto Parts, Inc.’s supplementary feeding support benefited again its adopted school, Dila Elementary School in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

There were 56 Grade 1 undernourished pupils who were given daily feeding with vitamins for 3months. Medical check-up and deworming were also conducted in coordination with the City Health Office. Of the total served, 48 of the pupils reached the normal body weight for their height and age. While there have been increases of 1-2 kilos in their weights, 8 remained to have weights below normal. These 8 cases were adopted for continued intervention by the school and the barangay.

Every week, the pupils were also taught on the importance of hygiene and nutrition. Activities like singing and story-telling were also conducted to instill values to the pupils.

GenTwoFifteen Development Foundation, Inc. is the implementing partner of PBSP and Toyota Auto Parts, Inc. on this project.

TRAINING COMPLETES KEILCO COMPUTER LAB DONATION

Eleven teachers of the Pedro Tolentino Memorial National High School underwent a one-day training on basic IT last October 27. This training is part of the computer building and laboratory project of KEPCO’s Balik Baterya donation.

The topics discussed included the history of computing and the different computer parts. Basic applications of MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel in teaching and keeping grades were also taught. The training was especially helpful for almost 50% of them who do not know anything about using the computer and its applications.

The school’s utilization and maintenance plan was also reviewed before the training ended.

Ms. Riza Verano, PBSP Senior Program Officer for IT in Education, conducted the one-day training for this project.

COMPUTERS EXCITE AETA KIDS

Last November 3, SMYPC Metal Closure Lithography Plant in San Fernando, Pampanga turned over 3 sets of personal computers and a printer to Katutubo Village Elementary School in Porac, Pampanga. This was made possible through their donation of 2.72 tons of ULABs to the program.

The school has no computer and its Grades 4,5 and 6 students were taught with computer subjects only through pictures. Thus, the kids’ faces lit up while Plant Manager Jesus Ocampo, Jr and HR Manager Milette Dolom, showed and taught them how to use the computers.

Some educational CDs were also purchased and turned over to the school.

Katutubo Village Elementary School has a population of 246 pupils and 9 teachers. Almost 90%of its pupils are Aetas.

NESTLE AND TRUCKERS VISIT THEIR ADOPTED SCHOOLS

For the second time, Nestle Philippines, Inc.-Supply Chain Management staff and its top trucker donors visited South Cotabato to check on their Balik Baterya projects.

In Teresita Elementary School, the guests got to meet their remedial reading camp recipients. They were shown how the activities are facilitated to improve the reading skills and comprehension of frustration-level readers of the school.

Storybooks were also turned over to the school and to the PTCA in support to the remedial reading program.

In their second school, Ambalgan Elementary School, the guests helped in serving the day’s meal of the pupil beneficiaries who were on their 20th day of feeding.

In her message, Ms Janice Panopio, Safety Health and Environment Officer of trucker Fast Services Corporation, said that, “We are very happy to see the fruits of our contribution to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program.”

SMYPC-MANILA PLASTICS PLANT TURNS OVER BOOKS

Beata Elementary School is the recipient of SMYPC Manila Plastics Plant’s donation to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program. Early this year, the plant has turned over 1.17 tons of used lead-acid batteries for proper disposal and recycling.

The funds generated were able to purchase 41 copies each of the 4 titles of textbooks needed in Math (for Grades 3 and 6), Science (Grade 6) and English (Grade 6).

Beata Elementary School in Pandacan, Manila is home to 1,452 students and 42 teachers. While the school ranks third among the 11 schools in the district, the National Achievement Test (NAT) -- Mean Percentage Score is at 68%, which is still below passing. Inadequate number of textbooks is one of the siginificant factors that contribute to the low performance of the school. Common ratio of books to pupils in the Math, Science and English subjects is 1:7. The donated books will improve the ratio to 1:4 in Grade 3 and 1:3 in Grade 6, giving pupils better access to learning materials.

The books were turned over to the school in a ceremony graced by SMYPC Manila Plastics Plant Manager Rolando Nole Sarrosa, HR Manager Maria Lea Ramiro, HR Assistant Orlando Lim and Pollution Control Officer, Jeffrey Nuqui.

BONTOG ES BENEFITS FROM SMYPC-MCLP CANLUBANG ULABS

SMYPC’s Metal Closure and Lithography Plant in Canlubang has chosen to assist their adopted school, Bontog ES, with their Balik Baterya funds generated from their donation of 2.82 tons of ULABs.

Last December, the employees headed by their Plant Manager Mr. Arnel Sarte, turned over the learning resource corner that consisted of a 4-layer shelf and textbooks in English, Music and Arts, EPP and Mathematics.

Bontog ES is an average performing school but has inadequate supply of books in English and Mathematics. The school’s Grades 3-6 levels also do not have books in EPP and Music and Arts.

SMYPC-BEVERAGE ASSISTS IN SCHOOL’S READING PROGRAM

Through their Balik Baterya funds, SMYPC’s Beverage Packaging Plant in San Fernando, Pampanga continued to assist their adopted school, Maimpis Elementary School.

Maimpis ES is one of the least performing schools in San Fernando City with its National Achievement Test (NAT) results below 75% for the past 5 years. Its performance in English is significantly low at 47.97% for the past 5 years. The school has 887 pupils and 23 teachers.

The school’s latest data on the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI) shows that almost 85% of its Grades 2-6 pupils are frustrated-level readers. Frustration level is highest in its Grades 3 and 6 levels at 96%. This is alarming because those in Grade 6 are not ready then to enter high school. This is also the reason why NAT scores in English, Math and Science lag behind their scores in HEKASI and Filipino.

To address this, the school currently has its Reading Enhancement Program. Teachers conduct special reading sessions after classes to those assessed to be frustrated-level and non-readers. Peer tutorials are also on-going for those in Grades 4-6.

And as support to the reading program, the plant’s assistance focused on providing additional Developing Reading Power books. The school currently has 38 copies only of the Grade 1 book and 1 copy each for the other levels.

The ULABs from the plant were able to purchase 190 copies of the book and these were truned over to the school by the plant’s HR Head Ms. and PCO Engr. Aristotle Tolentino

The Beverage Packaging Plant in San Fernando is the fourth plant of San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corporation that donated to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program.

BALIK BATERYA SUPPORTS MARIKINA WATERSHED BIKE FEST

Last December 11, SMART’s Balik Baterya funds supported the event management of a bike fest for the rehabilitation of the Marikina Watershed.

Initiated by the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation, the bike fest was organized to raise awareness on the Marikina Watershed and promote biking as a significant contribution to reduce our carbon footprint. The bike fest started in PLDT Office Marcos Highway to Villacorte Property in San Mateo, Rizal. The final stop gave the bikers a breath-taking view of the entire Marikina Watershed.

At least 165 bikers and supporters participated in the event.

RIO TUBA NICKEL MINING JOINS ROSTER OF SUPPORTERS

The Year 2011 ended with another company joining the roster of Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya supporters.

Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Motolite and PBSP and pledged its commitment to proper disposal of hazardous waste and support to improving access to quality basic education.

Signing the MOU with PBSP Senior Program Officer Ms. Kristine Rivadelo and Motolite CSR Officer Ms. Connie Deligero are Chief Operating Officer Mr. Jose Saret and Senior Purchasing Manager Mr. Jeg Gazmin, Jr.

The company’s ULAB funds will be supporting their adopted schools in the municipality of Bataraza, Palawan.

Mt. Kitanglad Agri Ventures, Inc. Turns Over Books

2011-09-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Ventures, Inc. (MKAVI), represented by its Pollution Control Officer Mr. Joey Sohento, recently turned over 6 pieces of coffee table books on the Philippines and its natural resources plus 40 pieces of textbooks on Science to its adopted school Alanib Elementary School.

Alanib Elementary School is one of the average performing schools in Bukidnon. The school’s latest MPS is at 59.42%, with Science as the lowest at 40.2%. Thus, the donation concentrated on providing 40 Science textbooks for its Grade 6 class to help improve their performance on the subject.

In addition to the Science textbooks, the teachers also requested for reference materials on the Philippines. Given the mountainous terrain of the area, hardly can the students have access to the city library thus limited access on books regarding Philippine culture.

MKAVI, based in Bukidnon, is engaged in the production of bananas for export.

KEPCO Turns Over Computer Laboratory Project

2011-09-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

Last September 23, KEPCO Philippines, Inc. – Ilijan Plant formally turned over the computer laboratory building to Pedro S. Tolentino Memorial National High School through its principal, Ms Lourdes Atienza.

The computer laboratory project was made possible by Kepco’s donation of 42 tons of used lead-acid batteries to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program. Aside from the 7m x 9m computer room, the funds will also be used to train the school’s 15 teachers on basic computer skills. Additional 5 sets of computer units are also donated to increase their existing 10 units of PCs. An air-conditioning unit will also be installed.

As with other PBSP initiatives on information technology, the PTCA in coordination with the school administration shall be mobilized for the upkeep of the computer laboratory and equipment. A local contractor was hired for the construction of the new computer room so that assistance on repairs and maintenance can be easily accessed.

In his message, KEPCO’s Hwa Yeon Hwang expressed his gratitude for all the partners that made the project possible. He was amazed at how the plant’s scrap batteries were turned into funds that built the computer laboratory. He hopes that with this new computer room, learning will be more conducive to the schools’ 570 students.

The turnover event was also graced by DepEd representatives headed by its Batangas Division OIC, Mr. Tolentino Aquino, Ramcar’s CSR Head Mr Eman Ragaza, PBSP’s Senior Program Officer Kristine Rivadelo, Ilijan Brgy. Capt. Prudencio Cepillo, KEPCO officers and employees, the Ilijan Community Development Foundation, Inc. and members of the PTCA.

BALIK BATERYA IN VISAYAS LEVELS UP

2011-06-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

PEZA-MEZ Commits Support to Balik Baterya

In helping achieve its vision of “ providing a globally competitive and ecologically sustainable business environment in generating investments, exports and employment for the Philippines,” the administration of PEZA-Mactan Economic Zone has formally inked its support to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program in an MOA signing held last June 23.

MEZ even tagged their support Batteries for the Earth, Batteries for the Future. In a forum attended by 16 locators of MEZ, Motolite’s CSR Head Mr. Eman Ragaza presented what the Balik Baterya Program is all about and Lear Corporation’s Senior HR Country Manager Ms Amabel Magnolia Abella shared how their involvement in the program made possible for them to give assistance to public elementary schools in Olango.

MEZ officials and staff who were present during the launch event were Department Manager for Operations Atty. Rufino Ranulfo San Juan IV, Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Chief Mr. Orlando Fuentes, ComRel and CSR Head Mr. Rolando Patalinjug and EHS Division Staff Ms Verna Luz Daño.

A collection event followed in the afternoon. Initial supporters include Accuform, Inc., Cebu Chip Connection, Halsangz Plating Cebu Corp., HPOI Corporation, KGS Phils. Corp., Lexmark International Phils., Inc., MSM Cebu, Inc., Olympus Optical Products Philippines, Inc., Sawo, Inc., Taiyo Yuden Phils., Inc., Philippine Tonan Corporation, Pacific Aeronautical, Inc., Phlippines Light-Leather, Inc., Cebu Logitem, Inc., Ina Micro Opto Corp., Toa Kiko Cebu Corporation, Cebu Iwakami Corporation and Euro-CB Phils., Inc.

Lear Employees Show Support,Donate their ULABs for LRCs

At least 145 employees of Lear Corporation have participated in the Balik Baterya Program. In an interview with Senior HR Country Manager Ms Amabel Magnolia Abella and EHS Coordinator Ms Marife Biol, the two officers shared that 20% of the collected ULABs came from employees.

For the Balik Baterya team, this is indeed a manifestation of promoting the advocacy, on proper recycling and helping improve the state of basic education, down to company employees.

The company has turned over a total of 13 tons of ULABs and has turned over 10 LRCs to public elementary schools in Olango.

Lear Corporation is a global company that manufactures tubular, welded and stamped assemblies for the automotive and aircraft industries.

Timex Group of Companies Join the Roster of Supporters

TMX Philippines, Inc., the manufacturer of wrist instruments and wristwatches based in MEZ, also inked their support to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program.

Representing the company is Employee Relations Manager Mr. Paterno Niñal, Jr.

NKC Turns Over 2nd Batch of ULABs

NKC Manufacturing Philippines Corporation manufactures rubber seals for bearing units which are directly exported to overseas such as Japan, Europe, North America, South America, China and India. The company also manufactures sash rollers for household aluminum sashes which are also mainly exported to Japan and Thailand.

Around 1.5 tons of ULABs were initially turned over in 2009. The second batch totalled 0.6 tons. The funds will be used to adopt one LRC in the Visayas.

Turning over the ULABs to the Balik Baterya team are Asst Manager Emylou Cadalzo, PCO Edmond Ouano and the rest of the NKC EHS members.

PKI Adopts T.M. Kalaw Elementary School in Lipa

2011-06-06T16:28:00.000-07:00

T.M. Kalaw Memorial School in Lipa City is the recipient of 155 Grade 3 Science workbooks through Pilipinas Kyohritsu, Inc.’s donation to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program. The school is one of the least performing schools for the past three years.

The donation will give 1:1 workbook to pupil ratio in the entire Grade 3 level of the school to improve their performance in the National Achievement Test, specifically in Science.

PKI is represented by their Administration Manager Ms Eva Suarez, Admin Staff Ms. Maureen Silva, Admin Foreman Mr. Jasper Silva and Admin Supervisor Mr. Orlando Dimaano.

Nestle Lipa Turns Over Workbooks to Rafael Lojo ES

2011-06-06T16:25:00.000-07:00

Nestle Philippines, Inc. – Lipa Factory employees, headed by its Safety, Health and Environment Head Mr. Romeo Clerigo, turned over 135 workbooks to Rafael M. Lojo Elementary School in Lipa City.

The donation was made possible by Nestle’s donation of used lead-acid batteries to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program, with additional support by Nestle’s service provider, Bidshot Wireless Services. The donation will at least bring 1:1 workbook to pupil ratio in one class for each of the levels Grade 4-6.

With Mr Clerigo during the turnover are Nestle Lipa’s HR External Affairs Officer Mr. Rex Herrera, Industrial Services Head Mr. Edwin Erasquin and Engineering’s Ms. Grace Tan.

Avon Renews Commitment to the Balik Baterya Program

2011-06-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

Avon Products Manufacturing, Inc. renewed its commitment to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program with an MOU signing last month. Signing the MOU for Avon is its General Manager, Mr. Colin Whittington. Avon has initially donated 1.9 tons of ULABs and will be building up the funds for assistance to a public school in Calamba, Laguna.

Joining Mr. Whittington in the MOU signing event are Avon’s Finance Manager, Mr. Troy Saber, Integrated Management Representative Ms. Weng Domingo, Engineering Manager Mr. Larry Pascua, Purchasing Supervisor Ms. Salen Lee and Engineering Coordinator Mr. Vince Romano.

ICTSI Joins Roster; Allocates ULAB Funds for Supplementary Feeding

2011-06-06T16:22:00.000-07:00

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) joined the roster of company supporters and initially turned over almost 3 tons of ULABs.

PBSP, in coordination with the ICTSI Foundation, will manage the funds for their Lusog Dunong Year 2 Project. Their projects on supplementary feeding will be implemented in 10 daycare centers and 2 school annexes of Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Parola and Isla Puting Bato in Manila.

KEPCO Computer Laboratory Groundbreaking Ceremony

2011-06-06T16:19:00.000-07:00

A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held to commence the construction of a computer laboratory in Pedro S. Tolentino Memorial National High School in Brgy. Ilijan, Batangas. The infrastructure, funded by the 42 tons of ULABs donated by the company, will be 7m x 9m in size and will initially house at least 5 computers with peripherals. At least 15 teachers will also be trained on Basic Computer Skills.

In the photo are Kepco Ilijan Operations Manager Moon Kyung Kim, Ilijan Brgy. Captain Prudencio Cepillo, Ramcar, Inc. CSR Head, Eman Ragaza, School Principal Lourdes Atienza, Kepco Ilijan Plant Manager Kyu-Byeng Hwang and PBSP Chief Information Officer Tom Escano.

SMART ULABs Help Fund Advocacy Film

2011-04-12T19:35:00.000-07:00

With SMART's growing commitment to raising public awareness on environment issues, the company, through a portion of their ULAB funds, supported the production of Tanim. Tanim is a 60-second 3D Animation film that is a collaboration of SMART, SM Cinemas, SM Supermalls, DENR, Goriotik Multi-Media Productions and USAID with The Philippine Environmental Governance Project.

Tanim features two children, Gorio and Flora, who were able to visualize the threats to biodiversity, particularly the impact of deforestation. The film aims to inspire people to find ways to reduce threats to the environment. It puts emphasis on watershed management and leaves a lesson that supply of water and food will suffer if our watersheds are not sustainably managed.

The film was also produced to support the Year 2011 as International Year of the Forests. It is being screened in 16 SM Cinemas around the country. Tanim will leverage a series of initiatives, such as promotion of reforestation in support to the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) Marikina Watershed Initiative Road Show.

Last year, SMART has also allocated P1.6M of its Balik Baterya funds to support initial projects in the Marikina Watershed, particularly the reforestation of 12 hectares with capability building for communities in the area.

Epson Turns Over 2nd LRC in Lipa City

2011-03-27T16:53:00.000-07:00

Last March 23, Epson turned over its second learning resource corner in Lodlod ES, Lipa City. Its first donation of LRC benefited Kayumanggi ES, also in Lipa City.

Lodlod ES is considered as one of the three least performing schools in the city. Pupils’ peformance in English is very poor. Reading profile of the students show that 49.13% are frustrated readers in English and 21.35% are frustrated readers in Filipino. Thus, this LRC for Lodlod ES, were mostly storybooks in English and Filipino to encourage reading among the pupils.

School principal Ms Del Orsos and teachers welcomed Epson employees, headed by its President Mr. Osamu Koshiishi. Also in attendance in the turnover were DepEd (district and division) and barangay officials.

After the programme, Mr. Koshiishi conducted a storytelling session where he read to chosen Grade 4 kids the story of Hachiko. Hachiko is a Japanese true story of a loyal dog.

Mr Koshiishi left this message to the pupils of Lodlod ES: “You are the country’s future. Study hard.”

For this LRC, Epson used the funds from its donation of 890 kilos of ULABs to purchase the 4-layer shelf from our assisted and organized enterprise Nabigla Construction and Manpower Development Coop (NACMADECO), 2 sets of kiddie chairs and tables and some storybooks. Additional storybooks were purchased from company funds to complete the donation.

Balik Baterya Supports Classrooms Repair in Pangasinan

2011-03-15T20:48:00.001-07:00

PLDT, led by its Senior Manager for Community Relations Ms. Evelyn del Rosario, recently turned over 5 classrooms that were repaired through their donation to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya funds.

The project benefited Mabini and Esmeralda Elementary Schools in Balungao, Pangasinan. Balungao is a fourth class municipality belonging to the 6th district and is identified as one of the underdeveloped municipalities.

Mabini ES has 134 pupils and 4 teachers while Esmeralda ES has 424 pupils and 12 teachers.

The schools are truly grateful for the improved learning environment provided by the Balik Baterya funds.

March 10 was indeed a joyous day for the two schools as pupils also rendered intermission numbers for the guests. Also there to receive PBSP (represented by Assistant Director for Luzon Regional Operations Mr Rene Fortuno) and PLDT were Hon. Mayor Philipp Peralta, barangay officials and school PTCAs.

KEPCO Ilijan Signs MOU, Turns Over ULABs

2011-02-19T21:22:00.000-08:00

Last February 8, KEPCO Ilijan Batangas formalized its support to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program through an MOU signing held at their plant in Ilijan, Batangas City.

The plant also turned over 42 tons of ULABs, amounting to almost P1.2M, to support the construction of a computer laboratory room for Pedro Tolentino Memorial National High School.

Signing the MOU were Ramcar, Inc. CSR head, Eman Ragaza, School Principal Lourdes Atienza, PBSP Chief Information Officer Tom Escano, Kepco Ilijan Plant Manager Kyu-Byeng Hwang Operations Manager, Kepco Ilijan Operations Manager Moon Kyung Kim and Ilijan Brgy. Captain Prudencio Cepillo.

In his message to the group, Mr. Kyu-Byeng Hwang thanked the program for the opportunity. "Our participation will not only clean the environment but will also help the community."

Cited by POWER Magazine as one of the top 12 power plants of the world, the Korea Electric Corporation or KEPCO's Ilijan Plant was principally designed to operate as a base-load unit using natural gas sourced from the Malampaya gas fields in Palawan with diesel as back-up fuel.

Mega Packaging Supports Teachers Training on IT

2011-01-31T06:57:00.000-08:00

From January 26-28, 35 teachers from the beneficiary schools in Laguna of the IBM Kidsmart Early Learning Package were trained on IT and how to incorporate the use of computer in students’ lessons and in teaching the schoolchildren.

Through PBSP, IBM Philippines donated 5 sets of the learning package to 4 schools in Calamba, namely, Jose Rizal Memorial Elementary School, E. Barretto Sr. ES, Calamba ES and Post ES and another school in Sta. Rosa, Dila ES.

Mega Packaging Corporation, whose donation of 2.1 tons in two hauling events, supported the teachers training by providing the meals of the participants for three days. Deped – Calamba provided the venue for the training.

Ramcar’s Mr Eman Ragaza, on behalf of Mega Packaging Corporation, gave a short message to the teachers during the training’s opening program.

Mega Packaging Corporation, based in Canlubang Industrial Estate in Calamba, Laguna, manufactures industrial packaging products, reusable containers and moulded appliance parts.

ACS Turns Over Instructional Materials to Canlubang ES

2011-01-31T06:29:00.000-08:00

Donating 640 kilos of used lead-acid batteries to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program’s Project LEAP, ACS Manufacturing Corp. was able to turn over instructional books and CDs in English and Science to Canlubang Elementary School.

The company is represented by its Pollution Control Officers Ms. Jan Penny Zaldarriaga and Ms. Elenita Parreno.

Canlubang ES is one of the least performing schools in Calamba City. The school’s Overall Mean Percentage Score for the past 3 school years is at 49%, way below the 75% passing rate. The poor performance is attributed to inadequate textbooks and teaching personnel. Pupil-to-textbook ratio is at 2:1 in all subjects and teachers are decreasing for the past three school years. The donation aims to supplement existing teaching materials and will benefit the school’s current population of 1,211 public elementary students and 31 teachers.

As show of gratitude to the Balik Baterya donation, the students had musical performance showcasing their talents in playing bamboo instruments.

ACS Manufacturing Corporation is the maker of household brands Pride laundry soap, Unique toothpaste, Star Wax and Smart dishwashing liquid.

PLDT ULABs Bring 6 LRCs in Bohol

2011-01-31T06:23:00.000-08:00

From January 12-14, PBSP, Motolite and PLDT representatives turned over 6 learning resource centers in Bohol.

Recipient schools are San Miguel Elementary School, Malitbog ES, Calausan ES, Cambangay ES, Magtangtang ES and Guinobatan ES.

The donation is very much appreciated by the schools whose books are mostly in dismal state (see picture below of available books for the children captured by Mr. Ragaza).

Eight LRCs Turned Over in Cebu

2010-12-21T15:35:00.000-08:00

This December, the turnover ceremonies of the first eight out of the 22 LRCs committed by PLDT to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program were graced by PLDT Senior Manager for Community Relations Ms Evelyn del Rosario.

Re-posting an article from www.pbspvro.blogspot.com. :)
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More books beyond the mountains and seas
PLDT turns over 2860 books to 8134 pupils
through the Motolite-PBSP Balik-Baterya Program

In a school nestled within a mountainous barangay where fog already reaches the ground, a little girl dreams.

Ehlna Heroela, 12 years old and a grade six pupil of Gaas Elementary School, longs of becoming an English teacher in her own barangay so they can all speak the language that will grant them jobs and make their futures bright. She also knows that in order to reach this dream, she has to read as many books as she can to be able to speak and teach English fluently.

But books other than the textbooks she is sharing with her classmate are a novelty in Gaas. The books are sold kilometers away from her place. Her family cannot afford the books or the fare to get there.

That was why when Evelyn del Rosario, PLDT Community Relations Senior Manager, ushered her and her classmates in one of the rooms in her school, she never expected to be already stepping inside a mini-library with books she can touch and read, bringing her to a step closer to her dreams.

“Karon pa ko sukad nakakita og ing-ani kadaghan na mga libro para namo. Nalipay mi na naa mi aning mga libroha kay naa na mi mabasa-basa ug daghan na pud mi makat-unan,” she said. (“It was my first time to see those many storybooks for us. We’re happy to have these books we can read and learn from.”)

Like Ehlna Heroela, 8,134 pupils in the Visayas will be able to read more books and learn new things from the additional learning materials given to them by PLDT with the help of Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) through the Motolite-PBSP Balik-Baterya Program.

Launched in 2006, the program aims to achieve two results: protect the environment by properly disposing and recycling of used lead acid batteries (ULABs) which may potentially poison the soil; and improve the learning of pupils through the proceeds of the ULABs donated with the provision of books, training of teachers and holding of remedial reading camps.

ULABs donated by PLDT were bought by Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation at a higher price and used to fund the establishment of Learning Resource Centers (LRCs), which take the form of mini-libraries that include a table, several chairs and a bookshelf filled with books and supplementary instructional materials on Math, Science, English, Filipino, Social Studies and Environment Education.

Each Learning Resource Center is worth PhP 40,000.00, which needed approximately 170 ULABs to generate such amount.

“We at PLDT believe that education is the greatest equalizer. When you are educated, you can go far, you can sit with people and discuss things. You have fed your mind. That is why our heart is close to education, on how to enhance the learning of our children especially in the far-flung areas of the country,” del Rosario stressed.

Bridging gaps made by the education low. The latest National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) report states that the Philippines is one of the lowest performing countries in terms of education. This is attributed to the low competencies of schools in improving the learning of their children due to the lack of libraries, books and other instructional materials, and training of new skill sets among teachers.

In schools located within remote coastal and mountain barangays, the situation is even worse.

In Pangan-an Elementary School, located in an islet that takes 30 minutes to an hour to get to by pump boat, teachers have a hard time explaining to their pupils what an encyclopedia is because they could not show them an example of it.

“Sometimes we have to wait for months before receiving the textbooks for our pupils. Even if we want to buy more books, we still could not afford them. We rarely receive assistance from other groups because most of them are afraid to cross the seas to get here,” said Marilou Pacilan, principal of Pangan-an Elementary School.

But through the ULABs donated by PLDT, which generated PhP 880,000.00, the company was able to help 22 schools in the remote areas of the Visayas—eight in Cebu, three in Iloilo, six in Bohol and five in Samar.

“Pupils and students from the cities have more access to learning and education. The very reason why PLDT, Motolite and PBSP chose these places is because these are very remote areas and have least access to learning materials,” del Rosario added.

This December, PLDT was able to turn over eight LRCs to schools in Cebu. It is set to turn over the remaining LRCs to the other schools by next year from January to March.

“With these materials, we know that they will enhance the learning skills of our children. We will make sure that these books will really be used by children and not just get stored in any space,” Gaas Elementary School principal Vivian Restauro said.

PBSP hopes that by making use of the LRCs, the schools will have a lesser number dropouts and enhance their learning competencies as expressed in their mean percentage scores.

“With this partnership, we will be able to fire the children up to learn more, to learn better and to soar to greater heights in education,” del Rosario added.

Corporate social responsibility. For PLDT, the Motolite-PBSP Balik-Baterya Program is not just another education initiative—it is the company's commitment to provide more sustainable projects as its expression of corporate social responsibility.

“We will carry the goodness of PLDT, Motolite and PBSP and we hope that other corporations will do the same. We only hope that the corporate social responsibility imbibed by these groups will inspire other corporations so more schools will also benefit from this kind of commitment,” said Aliena Quimque, principal of Cabancalan I Elementary School.

“What makes this project special is that the funds used for the LRCs do not come from fresh monies—they do not directly come from the income of the companies. These funds all came from the used batteries donated by companies, which are then bought by Motolite so they would be properly disposed and recycled,” PBSP Senior Program Manager Olive Jabido stated.

PLDT makes sure that in the following years more ULABs will be donated for the Balik-Baterya Program so that more children, even separated by mountains and seas, can freely dream their dreams.

Procter & Gamble Inks Support for Laguna School

2010-12-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

Procter & Gamble Cabuyao Plant is the newest addition to the roster of Project LEAP supporters. Signing the MOU last December 14 was P&G Cabuyao Plant Manager Ms. Fanny Wu and Site Engineering Manager Mr. Conrado Cancio, Jr. Environment Officers Mr. Garry Obog and Mr. Thelvin Maningas are also present during the event.

P&G has already turned over ULABs weighing almost 20 tons and the funds generated will be used to provide assistance to their adopted school, Latian Elementary School in Laguna.

Latian Elementary School is one of the most underserved schools in Laguna. The school’s MPS is only at 48.29 in SY 2008-2009 and there is pronounced need for additional textbooks and supplementary feeding to improve the performance of the schoolchildren.

EPSON TURNS OVER LEARNING RESOURCE CORNER

2010-12-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

Last December 9, employees of Epson Precision (Philippines), Inc., headed by their President Mr. Osamu Koshiishi, turned over a learning resource corner consisting of books in English, Math and Science to Kayumanggi Elementary School in Lipa City. A set of books and CDs on teaching values to children was also included for the use of both teachers and pupils.

The school is one of the least performing schools in the city. Its 2009-2010 National Achievement Test score is way below passing at 63.91%. Results have shown that pupils find difficulty in answering questions in the areas of Mathematics, English and Science thus the need for additional reference and instructional materials.

A 4-layer shelf housed the materials and this was purchased from a PBSP-assisted group in Quezon City, the Nabigla Construction and Manpower Development Cooperative.

Epson has donated a total of 1,730 kilos of ULABs to finance the books. The company also donated additional new books to supplement the Balik Baterya donation.

Supplemental Feeding Yr 2 for Dila ES, Sta. Rosa, Laguna

2010-12-15T12:39:00.000-08:00

Last December 7, Toyota Auto Parts, Inc., GenTwoFifteen Development Foundation, Inc. and PBSP signed another MOU for the implementation of next year's supplemental feeding in Dila Elementary School, Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Now on its Year 2, the ULAB funds generated will support GDFI's three-month feeding project that is targeted to benefit 35 schoolchildren. Its Year 1 assistance has benefited 42 schoolchildren in the same school.

Signing the MOU are GDFI President Marlon Era, TAP President Mr. Hiroshi Takeuchi, PBSP Membership Development Unit Manager Ms. Vicky San Juan-Co TAP and GAD Department Manager Ms. Anita Antonio.

Another 5 Schools Benefiting from Lear Corporation Learning Resource Centers

2010-12-15T12:26:00.000-08:00

Five public elementary schools (ES) from Olango Island in Lapu-Lapu City are the latest recipients of Learning Resource Centers from the ULABs of Lear Corporation.

These schools are Suba ES, Sabang ES, Sta. Rosa ES, Tungasan ES and Caw-oy ES.

Happy reading, kids!:)

For more pictures: http://pbsporgph.multiply.com/photos/album/53/11.30.2010_-_Motolite-PBSP_Balik-Baterya_LRC_Turnover_with_Lear_Corporation

Groundbreaking Ceremonies for BB Projects in Malabon, BB Joins Business Forum

2010-12-15T12:14:00.000-08:00

Two projects assisted by PLDT ULABs ---road & drainage and the construction of a multi-purpose building --- were formally introduced to the community and the donors through a groundbreaking ceremony held last Nov 26 in Maysilo, Malabon.

The projects will be benefiting 560 households in the area.

Gracing the event are PLDT Senior Manager for Community Relations Ms Evelyn del Rosario, Motolite CSR Head Eman Ragaza, Malabon Vice Mayor Len Len Oreta and officials and staff of the National Housing Authority and PBSP.

A similar assistance in Brgy. Tugatog was completed recently benefiting 184 households.

Malabon is one of the most heavily-assisted LGUs of PLDT in the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program. Thus, in a forum organized for business groups in Malabon in December 3, the Program’s Mr. Eman Ragaza was invited to speak on the different projects in Malabon, how the enterprises can contribute to cleaning the environment through proper ULAB disposal and using the funds generated for corporate social responsibility projects.

Below is a copy of an article posted in inquirer.net*. Read on.:)
__________________________________________________________________________________

PPP projects in PBSP-Malabon forum on corporate citizenship

INQUIRER.net
First Posted 11:29:00 12/05/2010

Filed Under: Company Information, Infrastructure, Water Supply, Water Supplies

MANILA — Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) took center stage Friday night as government officials and corporate leaders united to promote social responsibility in a corporate citizenship forum at the City Hall of Malabon.

Last week, PPP efforts were highlighted in the Camanava area as the local government unit of Malabon and the National Housing Authority (NHA) linked with private sector partners in launching a multi-purpose center and turning over drainage system and road projects to residents in the formerly flood-prone Maysilo estate.

Aiming to reduce urban poverty in the area, the local government got a boost from the business sector initiatives of PLDT-Smart, Ramcar-Motolite, and the corporate-led foundation Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), through its Strategic Partnership for Urban Poverty Reduction (STEP-UP) program.

STEP-UP has provided at least P65 million in financial assistance to benefit various projects such as housing, road and drainage systems, electrification and water projects, multi-purpose center construction, livelihood assistance, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives.

Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT-Smart chairman, who delivered the inspirational message at the Malabon City Hall penthouse on Friday evening as chairman of PBSP Board of Trustees, urged business leaders to be more strategic in their corporate philanthropy. “First, corporations can funnel their contributions to a social intermediary with clear goals. A proven organization and a 40-year track record: that is PBSP.”

Second, he pointed to a “context-focused” model of corporate philanthropy. “Each of your companies must find its own focus, its chosen area of responsibility, (and) that focus or area will be defined by the particular needs and strengths of your communities,” Pangilinan said.

“It is my hope that starting tonight, efforts can be devoted to the matter of corporate citizenship, so that the aspirations of a public-private partnership for the people of Malabon can be realized,” Pangilinan stressed.

He added: “Government alone cannot solve the many, many issues of poverty. The communities must help, the private sector must help. So the business of poverty is also the business of business.”

City Vice Mayor Antolin A. Oreta III delivered the opening remarks and the welcome message for Pangilinan.

“This forum will hopefully strengthen the ties between the LGU and the movers and shakers of the city,” Oreta said, referring to the Malabon forum on corporate citizenship.

Rafael C. Lopa, PBSP executive director, and assistant director Rene Fortuno highlighted PBSP and STEP-UP projects in Malabon with corporate citizenship principles and practices.

Also present at the forum were congresswomen Jay Lacson-Noel representing Malabon and Navotas, and Chona Cruz-Gonzales of CIBAC party-list, as well as city councilors of Malabon.

Emmanuel P. Ragaza, head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Ramcar-Motolite who was also present during the launching of the multi-purpose center project last November 26, reiterated the Motolite battery recycling program to forum participants.
Proceeds of the joint PLDT-Ramcar Balik-Baterya program have built road and drainage systems worth P3.6 million and multi-purpose centers worth P800,000.

For its part, PLDT has initiated gift-in-kind projects amounting to P700,000 in the form of materials for electric posts, fences, and support frames for infrastructure projects.

PLDT also constructed a two-story, six-classroom building with tables and chairs as
well as book cases at Catmon Elementary School worth P4.6 million, plus a separate grant for eight classrooms at Tonsuya Elemenatry School worth P129,000.

Citigroup Bank meanwhile constructed a two-story classroom building for Maysilo Elementary School worth P1 million.

Petron Corp. and SGC Paper have provided scholarships to students at the Malabon National and Tinajeros high schools.

Philcomsat has granted close to P1 million for infra projects to include multi-purpose centers as well as roads and drainages. Boysen Pacific Paint donated products for house repainting on every household facade through employee volunteerism.

CDO through its Odyssey Foundation, a new member company of PBSP, implemented health projects through a supplemental breakfast feeding program in Catmon worth P219,000 for 150 undernourished children.

SM Investments contributed to Malabon STEP-UP daycare, and facilitated teacher training in Early Childhood Education with DSWD through TEACH Foundation.

PBSP has been in Malabon since 2002 through STEP-UP, and is present in 15 urban poor communities reaching to more than 2,323 households and 13,938 individuals.

More than 282 housing units have been built or upgraded worth at least P19.8 million for sustainability, and more than P670,000 in financial assistance provided to support at least 98 small livelihood activities.

On roads and drainage systems, at least 2,264 settlements have undergone construction and upgrading and more than 10,500 linear meters have been constructed benefitting at least 13,584 people.

The settlements were also given P300,000 worth of basic emergency response equipment, including fire extinguishers, drums and metal buckets, fireproof jackets, helmets, and aluminum ladders.

They were also given trainings to formulate community-based disaster response teams to develop site-specific risk reduction plans, including risk-reduction maps, and counter-disaster plans.

*request for reposting had been submitted to inquirer.net last Nov 29

__________________________

Groundbreaking Ceremony and Malabon Business Forum Pics

SRPC Joins Project LEAP Supporters

2010-12-02T17:17:00.000-08:00

Last November 12, 2010, San Roque Power Corporation, located in Pangasinan, signed an MOU with the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program.

Representing SRPC are Mr. Tom Valdez, Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibilities and Mr. Ryukichi Kawaguchi, President and CEO.

The MOU signing also formalized the turning over of used lead-acid batteries weighing 10,370 kilos.

The funds generated will supplement the educational assistance SRPC extends to Cabayaoasan Elem. School in San Nicolas, Pangasinan.

Books Turned Over for South Cotabato Schools

2010-10-25T04:40:00.000-07:00

Last October 8, Nestle SCM Transport's AVP Mr. Dennis Llovido and Ms. Rhia Pereda, Ramcar's CSR Staff Ms. Connie Deligero and PBSP staff turned over textbooks to their Balik Baterya-adopted schools in Sto. Nino, South Cotabato --- Ambalgan Elementary School and Teresita Elementary School.

A total of 426 textbooks were purchased using the first batch of ULABs turned over by Nestle and its truckers. Joining also the team were truckers Fast Cargo Logistics and Sultan Kudarat M & T, Inc.

As response, Grade VI student John Bercades said, "Thank you to Nestle, to Motolite and to PBSP for the textbooks. The more we read, the more knowledge we gain and better pupils we become."

"Creating shared value is always in the heart of Nestle," Mr. Llovido said in his speech. He thanked the school, the PTCA and the LGU for the appreciation and support to the project.

Nestle SCM Transport and its truckers have committed to assist the two schools through Balik Baterya. A feeding project and a remedial reading camp are being proposed to be supported by the funds from the second and third collection events.

Nestle SCM Holds Third ULAB Collection Event

2010-10-06T07:14:00.000-07:00

Nestle Supply Chain Management - Transport Group organized their third collection event last September 26.

Eleven truckers joined the event and turned over 171 pcs of ULABs. The two earlier collection events were able to generate a total of 13 tons of ULABs.

Nestle SCM and its truckers is supporting Project LEAP and have opted to adopt two schools in South Cotabato --- Teresita Elementary School and Ambalgan Elementary School.

PEZA's Tsukuba Joins Roster, Turns Over ULABs

2010-10-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

Tsukuba Philippines Diecasting Corporation (TPDC) is the newest company to join the roster of Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya program supporters.

TPDC is a subsidiary of Tsukuba Diecasting Co. Ltd. Japan, a company that manufactures zinc & aluminum diecast of hard disk drives and other industrial applications. It is based in PEZA, Rosario, Cavite.

Signing the MOA for TPDC is their President, Mr. Hiroyuki Shinoki.

The company has also turned over around 450 kilos of ULABs to support Project LEAP.

SMART ULABs to Support After-School Learning Sessions

2010-09-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

Recently, SMART initiated CommuniTeach to get a community actively involved in improving the learning of public elementary school students.

With CommuniTeach, SMART, with its partners, aims to provide after-school learning sessions through training of facilitators, provision of school supplies and learning materials and feeding in Bataan, Pampanga, Baguio, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Iloilo. The program aims to improve reading skills based on pre- and post-tests that will be given to the students.

PBSP will be implementing the program while Silid Aralan, Inc. will provide the learning technology. Funds, amounting to almost P2.7M, from SMART's support to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program will be used to jumpstart CommuniTeach.

CORAL BAY NICKEL CORPORATION JOINS PROJECT LEAP SUPPORTERS

2010-08-18T01:22:00.000-07:00

The first company based in Palawan to join the roster is Coral Bay Nickel Corporation. Funds generated from their used lead-acid batteries will be used to support public school education in areas outside Palawan.

During the program presentation and MOU signing in their Makati office, the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya team was welcomed by their senior officials led by their VP for Environment and External Affairs, Mr. Arturo Manto.

CBNC is a hydromettalurgical processing plant established in 2002 through the combined efforts of Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Sojitz Corporation and Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation. The plant site is located in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan.

SMYPC INKS SUPPORT TO PROJECT LEAP

2010-08-18T01:20:00.000-07:00

An addition to the roster of Project LEAP supporters is San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corporation. Sixteen of its plants and subsidiaries have pledged to support public schools nationwide through their used lead-acid batteries.

In the recent MOU signing and ULABs turn-over, SMYPC is represented by its AVP and Management Services Department Manager Mr. Oliver Gorrospe and Engineering Environment Safety Manager, Mr. Benjamin Gregorio.

SMYPC is a joint venture between San Miguel Corporation, Southeast Asia's largest food and beverage and packaging company based in the Philippines and Nihon Yamamura Glass Company, Ltd. (NYG) of Japan.

Chevron Joins Roster, Supports LEAP for San Pascual, Batangas Schools

2010-06-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

Chevron Philippines Inc. recently signed an MOU supporting the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program’s Project LEAP that will benefit public elementary schools in San Pascual, Batangas.

Signing the MOU in behalf of Chevron last June 3 were Mr. Edgar Mondigo, Area Logistics Manager and Mr. Mark Andrew Quebral, Manager for Policy, Government and Public Affairs.

The company markets the Caltex brand of fuels, lubricants and petroleum products.

Fast Services Corporation Hosts Balik Baterya Session

2010-06-06T18:37:00.000-07:00

Last May 31, the Motolite-PBSP Balik Program was presented to Fast Services Corporation (FSC) and its contractors/truckers.

Learning from how Nestle has influenced its truckers, FSC is very much interested to green also its supply chain through adoption of Balik Baterya.

FSC has turned over almost 500 kilos of ULABs to the program, through the two collection events that Nestle Phils, Inc. – Supply Chain Management Office facilitated.

Balik Baterya School Payatas C ES for Ramcar’s Brigada Eskwela Plus

2010-06-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

Payatas C Elementary School, one of the Balik Baterya-assisted schools, was adopted by 31 employee volunteers for Brigada Eskwela Plus last May 29.

Brigada Eskwela is the Department of Education’s yearly nationwide effort to involve the community prepare the schools for opening of classes.

Ramcar employees painted schooldesks, arm chairs and blackboards. The group also cleaned and beautified classrooms. Books, recently turned over by Balik Baterya donors SGV, Mabuhay Vinyl, Mister Donut and Transworld Brokerage were also covered with plastic by the employee volunteers.

The team behind Balik Baterya has been encouraging companies to go back, continue helping or even adopt previously-assisted schools to ensure that interventions truly bring remarkable improvement in the performance of the schools.:)

EKPI renews support to Project LEAP

2010-06-06T18:20:00.000-07:00

Through the leadership of Edward Keller Philippines, Inc. VP Cesar Galvez, Treasurer Conrado Capistrano and SHE Supervisor Rex Edward Deza, the company's commitment to Project LEAP was renewed during EKPI's Safety, Health and Emvironment Day through a Memorandum of Understanding signing last May 26.

The Balik Baterya was also given the chance to present the program to other Carmelray Industrial Park - Canlubang locators.

The first 1 ton of ULABs collected from EKPI was pooled with other funds to support the Balik Baterya Textbook Donation to Mindanao. EK's ULABs was allocated to purchase 186 out of the 660 textbooks that will be given to Atong Atong Elementary School in Basilan and Diamalod Elementary School in Sarangani.

Nestle Holds 2nd ULAB Collection Event, TB Awareness Session for Truck Representatives

2010-05-18T05:38:00.000-07:00

In time with Earth Day, Nestle Philippines, Inc. – North and South Distribution Centers held their second ULAB collection activity for their truckers in Laguna and Bulacan.

Almost 5 tons of ULABs were hauled last April 24 to continue their support to Project LEAP through textbook donations. Nestle-NDC and SDC and their truckers have adopted Ambalgan and Teresita Elementary Schools in Sto. Nino, South Cotabato.

Among the current roster of Balik Baterya donors, Nestle, a champion in sustainable development and Greening the Supply Chain, is the first company to influence its suppliers to support the program.

The representatives of the truckers were also supportive because they liked the idea that through their participation, their companies are able to help improve public schools.

The day before the collection event, PBSP also conducted a session on tuberculosis for their truck drivers and company representatives. The session was provided as an extension of the Balik Baterya Program’s TB awareness campaign.

22 LRCs from PLDT/Ramcar, Inc. to Benefit Visayas Public Schools

2010-03-16T17:31:00.000-07:00

A portion of the Balik Baterya funds from PLDT used lead-acid batteries will be allocated to establish 22 learning resource centers in the Visayas for the incoming schoolyear. The 22 adopted public elementary schools will come from Western Samar, Bohol, Iloilo and Cebu. The 2008-2009 National Achievement Test mean percentage scores of the chosen schools range from 38%-74%.

The learning resource center package includes various instructional materials, bookshelf and conduct of a teachers training. Establishment of learning resource centers is one of PBSP’s initiatives to improve access to quality basic education. Our interventions are aimed to keep children in school by giving them effective and improved learning environment.

Photo above shows PLDT Community Relations Head Ms. Evelyn del Rosario and Ramcar, Inc. CSR Head Mr. Eman Ragaza turning over the cheque to PBSP Visayas Regional Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Jose Antonio Aboitiz during the celebration of PBSP 22nd Visayas Annual Membership Meeting last March 10, 2010.

To date, 5 Balik Baterya LRCs are in Olango Island and Lapu Lapu City, made possible by the donated ULABs of Lear Corporation. Textbook donations would be very much appreciated by these established LRCs.

42 SCHOOLCHILDREN BENEFIT FROM SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING

2010-03-15T03:39:00.000-07:00

Forty-two undernourished Grade 1 pupils of Dila Elementary School in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, showed improvement in weight after 3 months of feeding with vitamins supported by Balik Baterya and Toyota Autoparts, Inc (TAPI) . The project was implemented by GenTwoFifteen Development Foundation, Inc. (GDFI).

The intervention included medical check-up and deworming, in coordination with the City Health Office. Once a week, GDFI also conducted sessions that tell the importance of hygiene and nutrition. Activities include singing, storytelling, handwashing and praying before eating.

Last year, TAPI donated 3 tons of ULABs that became the main source of funds to help these 42 undernourished schoolchildren.

MKADC Donates Books for Bukidnon School

2010-02-10T03:36:00.000-08:00

Mt. Kitanglad Agri Development Corporation, a company engaged in pineapple production in Bukidnon, recently turned over textbooks to Kilangi Elementary School in Kilangi, Brgy. Lurugan, Valencia City, Bukidnon. Through the program, Kilangi received 60 textbooks in Math, English and Science and a dictionary. MKADC is represented by MKADC's Environmental Management Representative Mr. Jerry Manubag.

Kilangi Elementary School (Kilangi ES) is one of the most depressed and deprived public schools in Bukidnon. According to Kilangi ES’s Principal Mrs. Barbara C. Obedencio, their average National Achievement Test (NAT) Performance is at 56.85 for the past four school years (SY 2006 – 2009) which is way too far from the needed 75% rate to pass the National Achievement Test. Kilangi ES’s rating vis-à-vis Reading Performance based on the Philippine Reading Inventory Scale, and as provided by Mrs. Obedencio, is at 93% Frustration Level this SY 2009-2010.

Kilangi ES’s poor performance is attributed to the lack of educational materials particularly textbooks for their students. The number of textbooks in Kilangi Elementary School is not enough for the number of enrolled students in the school. The current ratio of textbook to student in Kilangi Elementary School varies per subject. The ratio for English subject textbooks to students (from Grades I – VI) is 1:3, a ratio of 1:5 in Science subjects (from Grades I – VI), and also a ratio of 1:5 in Math subjects (from Grades I – VI).

The donation of textbooks aims to address this inadequacy and further help Kilangi ES to improve on their competency ratings.

EVENTS IN THE LAST MONTHS OF 2009

2010-01-20T18:23:00.000-08:00

COMPUTER LAB TURN-OVER and SAMBAL SITE VISIT

PLDT, Ramcar, Inc. and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) recently turned over to Malabon National High School -- Longos Annex a computer laboratory with 20 sets of personal computers. The project, named Paaralang Laan sa Dunong at Talino --- Computer Laboratory Project, was made possible through PLDT’s used lead-acid battery donation to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program. Joining PLDT ComRel Head Evelyn del Rosario are PLDT Logistics Operation Division Caesar Sing , Motolite CSR Head Eman Ragaza, Deped Officials and students and teachers of Malabon National Hign School.

“Grateful is an understatement.” This was how the Malabon National High School – Longos Annex OIC Mrs. Lolita Acuña described her sentiments that sunny morning. She has looked forward to the turnover ceremony while the preparations were ongoing. The students are all too thrilled that finally, they would be able to get actual hands-on experience with their new computers. “At flat screen pa!” as some of the students proudly described their new acquisition.

After the morning’s turnover ceremony, the PLDT and RAMCAR representatives visited another project site in Malabon’s Acero Libis Area, where a PBSP community was based.

The Samahang Magkakapit Bisig ng Acero Libis Phase II Homeowners Association was the beneficiary of another Balik Baterya project which entailed the construction of roads and drainage systems in the area.

The project is very much appreciated as this would help the community in flood management. As mentioned by one of the community members who accompanied us in the area tour, “Maraming salamat po talaga. Malaki ang naitulong ng maayos na daan… hindi na putik-putik ang mga tao, lalo na ang mga bata, pag umuulan. Napakalaking tulong at ginhawa talaga.”

ISUZU SIGNS MOU WITH BALIK BATERYA

Isuzu Automotive Dealership, Inc. (IADI) signified its support to the program through an MOU Signing held at their Muntinlupa office. Signing on behalf of IADI are Mr. Alejandro Paguio, Functional Director-Service, Mr. Rene Paningbatan, General Manager and Ms. Monina Macavinta, Auto Central Marketing Services Head.

SMB-DAVAO GIVES BOOKS TO DARONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

San Miguel Brewery-Davao turned over 260 English and Math textbooks to Darong Elementary School in Davao del Sur.

As mentioned by their Principal Mr. Homer Camposo, performance of the school in Math and English is fairly high as reflected in the 2008 National Elementary Achievement Test (NEAT). However, the school’s Mean Percentage Score is still below passing which is 70.5%. Thus, donation of additional textbooks to serve as reference will be very beneficial to both pupils and teachers.

NESTLE LIPA JOINS ROSTER, DONATES ULABS

Another Nestle plant has joined the roster --- Nestle Lipa (where our favorite Milo and cereals are manufactured J).

The Balik Baterya team visited the plant last September 25 and was welcomed by VP and Plant Manager Noel Lonzanida, SHE Head Edwin Ramilo, Industrial Services Section Manager Edwin Erasquin and FAS Coordinator Mary Grace Tan.

Before the year 2009 ended, an initial 1,000 kilos of ULABs were hauled from the plant.

TRANSWORLD TURNS OVER BOOKS TO PAYATAS C ES

Balik Baterya Team with Transworld Brokerage Corporation, represented by its Safety Manager, Mr. Jason Zamora, turned over 54 Math, English and Science Books to Payatas C Elementary School.

Payatas C ES is an earlier recipient of Balik Baterya textbooks from SGV, Mister Donut and Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation. The teachers are very thankful of the additional reference/instructional materials the program has provided. As mentioned in the March 2009 study of the Ateneo Center for Educational Development, provision of additional textbooks is necessary for Payatas C to be alleviated from being one of Quezon City’s “Depressed, Deprived and Underserved” Schools.

Lear Corporation Strengthens Basic Education through Five Learning Resource Centers

Three primary schools in Olango Island and two in Lapu-Lapu City were provided Learning Resource Center (LRC) packages by the Lear Corporation. The three schools in Olango Island were the Candagsao and Talima Elementary schools of Barangay Talima, and the Poo Elementary School. The two schools in Lapu-Lapu City were Basak Elementary School and Pusok Elementary School

During turnover ceremonies in the respective schools on Olango Island on Thursday, September 17, and on Lapu-Lapu City on Friday, September 18, staff and officers from the Lear Corporation led by Ms. Amabel Magnolia Abella, Country Senior HR Manager donated various instructional materials on Math, Science, English, Filipino, and HEKASI or Social Studies, a bookshelf and table and chair set, as well as established arrangements for teacher’s training to be provided to the schools. Also present during the events were Mrs. Vivien Taneo, DepEd District Supervisor of Olango Island, and Dr. Carmelita T. Dulangon, DepEd Superintendent, both from the Division of Lapu-Lapu.

PKI Joins Roster

2009-09-07T07:13:00.000-07:00

Last August 20, Pilipinas Kyohritsu, Inc. with its Environmental Management Representative Alexander Lat and Admin Manager Eva Suarez, signed the MOU supporting Project LEAP of the Balik Baterya Program.

PKI is a Japanese company engaged in the manufacture and export of automotive wiring harness and plastic products. The company is based in Lipa City, Batangas.

Toyota Gives Support to Undernourished Schoolchildren

2009-07-28T23:06:00.000-07:00

Last July 27, Ramcar, PBSP, Toyota Autoparts Philippines, Inc. and GenTwoFifteen Development Foundation, Inc. (GDFI) entered into a MOA signing for the implementation of a supplemental feeding project.

The project will benefit 35 undernourished children of Dila Elementary School in the City of Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The schoolchildren will be provided their daily nutritional supplement, which includes one meal with vitamins during weekdays to ensure that they will reach the normal body weight required for their height and age. The project will run for three months.

Earlier this year, Balik Baterya was able to haul 3 tons of ULABs from TAP and the cash generated was donated to PBSP for Project LEAP.

Present during the MOA signing are TAP’s President Hiroshi Takeuchi, GAD Department Manager Anita Antonio and General Administration Manager Ronnel Andaya. GDFI was represented by its President Marlon Era, Project Officer Robien Era and Board Member Renante Carvajal.

Project LEAP’s supplemental feeding component targets undernourished children in public elementary schools. The poor nutritional condition of schoolchildren has been identified as one of the major factors contributing to their low academic performance and their reduced ability to absorb lessons in school.

Balik Baterya Benefits Payatas Schoolchildren

2009-07-15T01:29:00.000-07:00

More than 3,000 students of Payatas C Elementary School receive English, Math and Science workbooks from SGV & Co., Mabuhay Vinyl Corp. and Mister Donut. A total of 664 kilos of ULABs donated by these companies were able to purchase 80 books and were turned over last July 1.

Photo shows the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Team with SGV’s Mr. Gerard Sanvictores, MVC’s Mr. Eric Abream and Payatas C Elem School Principal Mr. Benjamin Caling.

Nestle Truckers Join Roster, Transworld Brokerage Leads First Batch of Donation

2009-07-15T01:20:00.000-07:00

After a series of Balik Baterya presentations hosted by Nestle’s Supply Chain Management – Transport Group, their 13 trucking companies formally inked their support to the Balik Baterya Program’s Project LEAP last June 16.

Representing Nestle in the picture are SCM-Transport’s AVP Mr. Dennis Llovido and Ms. Rhia Pereda.

Earlier on, Nestle trucking company Transworld Brokerage Corporation led the donation of 920 kilos of ULABs for a project that will benefit Payatas C Elementary School.

Holcim Sends 30 Teachers to Remedial Reading Training

2009-07-15T01:16:00.000-07:00

Portion of the cash generated from the donated ULABs of Holcim Philippines – La Union Plant was allocated to sponsor the remedial reading training fees of 30 teachers from their 9 adopted public elementary schools in the municipalities of Bacnotan, Balaoan and Luna. The 2-day training was held last May in La Union.

Darigayos Elem School’s principal, Mr. Edwin Aquino, sent four of his teachers to the training and he was really grateful for the opportunity given to their school. “Malaking tulong po ito sa mga teachers namin. Natuto talaga sila ng mga bagong techniques na puwedeng gamitin upang mas epektibo ang pagtuturo sa mga bata kung paano magbasa.”

In 2004, the problem on reading surfaced when the results of the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory or Phil-IRI showed that significant number of elementary students have poor competencies in reading.

Indeed, English proficiency is critical in learning as other key subjects such as Science and Mathematics use English in textbooks and other reference materials. Poor reading often results in poor learning. Thus, it is in this reason that aside from teachers training, Project LEAP adopted also the provision of remedial reading camps as one of its components.

Honda Cars Makati, Inc. Donates, Inks Support

2009-05-28T01:58:00.000-07:00

A week after Total inked its support to the program, another company joined the roster --- Ayala Group of Companies' Honda Cars Makati, Inc.

Signing the MOU are Juliet M. Onineza of the Central Purchasing Dep't, Shaw Branch Manager Leo C. Dolendo, Functional Director – CRD & CMS Galileo C. Dolendo, PBSP Manager for Membership Development Unit Vicky Co, Motolite Sales' Francis Isip and CSR Head Eman Ragaza.

This month, the cheque bearing their first donation of 840 kilos of used lead-acid batteries was turned over to the program.

Total Philippines Join Roster of Supporters

2009-05-28T01:37:00.000-07:00

Last May 20, Total formalized its support to the program's Project LEAP through a Memorandum of Understanding. Signing the MOU are Mr. Ramon Derige, PBSP's Deputy Executive Director, Total President Ms. Anna Gabrielle Whitehouse, Total VP for Operations Mr. Dexter Flores and Ramcar, Inc. CSR Head Eman Ragaza.

Total has mentioned that the initial batch for hauling will consist of forklift batteries in their Bataan Plant. The company will also be exploring the possibility of their truckers joining the program.

Total Philippines Corporation is a subsidiary of Total S.A., one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world.

Balik Baterya Launched in Iloilo

2009-05-28T01:19:00.000-07:00

To increase program reach, the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program was launched in Iloilo last April 24. PBSP Visayas Regional Executive Committee members Mr. Jose Antonio Aboitiz and Mr. Philip Tan hosted the event, assisted by member company Valiant Bank's Mr. Eric Pama. Ramcar, Inc.'s Mr. Eman Ragaza presented the program and its mechanics to the audience consisting of representatives from the LGUs and the business groups of Iloilo.

The event was capped with 5 organizations inking their support to the program: Aganan River Federation of Irrigators Association, Isuzu Corp - Iloilo, Metalworking Industry Association of the Phils. - Iloilo Chapter, San Miguel Brewery, Inc. and Valiant Bank.

Nestle Distribution Centers Join Roster of Company Supporters

2009-05-07T22:43:00.000-07:00

Nestle Philippines, Inc. (NPI), specifically its North Distribution Center (NDC) and South Distribution Center (SDC) and Fast Cargo Logistics Corporation (NPI-NDC and SDC contractor for logistics) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PBSP and Ramcar, Inc. to support the Balik Baterya Program’s Project LEAP.

Their support to the program is an expression of their commitment to the Company’s sustainable Creating Shared Value (CSV) initiatives in nutrition, health and wellness, rural community development and environment.

Earlier in October, a series of presentations on battery recyling and the mechanics of the Balik Baterya Program to their truckers and EHS officers was also conducted. This is NDC’s and SDC’s contribution also to the company’s Greening the Supply Chain (GSC), an on-going outreach program to help business partners raise their level of commitment to environmental protection and improve their environmental performance.

Signing the MOU are Ramcar, Inc. CSR Head Eman Ragaza, PBSP Membership Development Unit Manager Vicky Co, Nestle NDC Head Romeo dela Cruz (represented by Ms. Evelyn Tila), Nestle SDC Head Jose Gerardo Sace, NPI’s Renato Alvarado, NPI's Abel Gonzales and Fast Cargo’s Manuel Onrejas, Jr.

Balik Baterya Helps Improve Reading Comprehension of Iligan City Elementary Schools

2009-05-07T22:29:00.000-07:00

This coming June, remedial reading camps will help improve the reading and comprehension skills of at least 2,000 elementary students, non-readers and frustrated readers in 20 public elementary schools in Iligan City.

At least 200 college students undertaking the NSTP, especially the Education major students, from the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology will be deployed to conduct remedial reading workshops. (Picture shows the Memorandum of Agreement Signing between PBSP and the project proponents)

This initiative, now on its second year, aims to further improve the Year I results of the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI) and the National Achievement Test (NAT) of the 20 beneficiary-schools which posted an incremental increase of about 23.09 percentage points (from an average mean percentage score of 39.19 to an average of 62.28). The passing average grade of 75 was set by the Department of Education.

This project, made possible by PLDT/Ramcar, Inc’s Balik Baterya funds, also intends to support the 57-75 campaign of the Department of Education.

Cagsiay 2 Elementary School Gets Access to Potable Water

2009-05-07T22:25:00.000-07:00

Last March 25, a newly-rehabilitated spring box, water pipeline and overhead water tank were turned over to Cagsiay 2 Elementary School in Mauban, Quezon.

This was made possible through the Quezon Power (Philippines) Ltd. Co.(QPL)/Ramcar, Inc.’s Balik Baterya funds. Around 2.6 tons of ULABs were donated to PBSP and the funds were used to cover bulk of the cost of materials. QPL and the community covered the labor cost and a portion of the materials.

Chuckie Rivera, Program Manager of QPL, alluded to teachers’ troubles prior to the water system construction. “Ang mga titser, di na lalaki ang muscle dahil sa kabubuhat ng tubig. Dahil pwede nang dumiretso ang tubig sa bawat classroom.”

The project is also a big help to Cagsiay 2 Elementary School’s existing feeding program and in maintaining proper hygiene in the school. The Barangay Health Unit will ensure potability of the water supply by regular testing and water purification.

Leading the turn-over ceremony were QPL Public Affairs Director Ms. Litz Santana and PBSP Assistant Director Mr. Rene Fortuno. Also present were DepEd District Supervisor Dr. Josefina Baquiran, Cagsiay 2 barangay officials and the school’s PTCA.

Bagong Silang Elementary School Receives Textbooks

2009-02-01T04:05:00.000-08:00

A few pieces of ULABs initially turned over by the Union Galvasteel Corporation-Calamba plant was able to purchase 32 textbooks in Math, English and Science for the Bagong Silang Elementary School in Laguna.

And last January 16, UGC staff, headed by Personnel and Admin Manager Mr. Joy Chamorro, and the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya team (trekked Mt. Makiling for 45 minutes with a mighty horse to carry the books) turned over the books to Brgy. Chairman Rufino Maloles and Bagong Silang Elementary teachers and pupils.

Bagong Silang is UGC’s adopted school for some years now. Mr. Chamorro is grateful that UGC can now do more to be able to assist the school through Balik Baterya.

San Miguel Brewery, Inc. -- Davao Inks Support to Project LEAP

2009-02-01T03:59:00.000-08:00

San Miguel Brewery, Inc. – Davao Brewery supported Balik Baterya's Project LEAP and a MOU signing took place in their plant at Bgy. Darong, Davao del Sur on January 9, 2009.

Standing from left are Rolly Aragon (Logistics Department Head), Jose Victor G. Bernardo (HR & A Manager), Garry V. Cervantes (Quality Assurance Manager). Seated from left are Girlie C. Garces (Corporate Communication Officer), Rain T. Siy (PBSP), Noel C. Villanueva (Plant Manager of San Miguel Davao Brewery), Danilo D. Martinez (Davao Regional Plant Manager of Ramcar, Inc.), and Bernie Teves (Engineering Manager).

Last year, San Miguel Davao Brewery joined DENR's Ecowatch Program, which gauges a company's compliance to the pollution prevention and control in hazardous waste in air and water systems. They achieved a "green" rating that meant 'improved standard in industrial practices.' This year, they aim to attain "silver", indicating 'beyond legal requirements in environmental practices.'

San Miguel Davao Brewery also strongly advocates education with their provision of science laboratory equipment to public schools. They also have health projects that involve running a barangay health center and conducting optical and dental missions.

ACS Manufacturing, SEAOIL Philippines Join Roster of Project LEAP Donors

2009-02-01T03:49:00.000-08:00

ACS Manufacturing Corporation, maker of Pride laundry soap, Star Wax, Unique toothpaste and Smart dishwashing cleaner, will be providing educational assistance to their adopted school in Calamba, Laguna. (picture below shows Ms. Lynette Bello, ACS Plant Manager, turning over ULABs to the Balik Baterya team)

SEAOIL Philippines, Inc. also expressed its commitment to Project LEAP through a MOU signing in their office last November 7, 2008. Seated from left to right are Francis Isip (Ramcar's ULAB Manager), Arturo S. Cruz (Marketing Director of SEAOIL), Vicky Co (Membership Manager of PBSP), and Rey Jimenez (Brand Group Manager, SEAOIL). Standing from left to right are Karen Tapang (CSR representative of Ramcar), Paul Abarca (LLND Officer, SEAOIL), and Rain T. Siy (Project Officer, PBSP).

PLDT/Ramcar, Inc. Sambal I Drainage Project 28% Completed

2009-01-19T18:23:00.000-08:00

One of the expansion communities of Strategic Private Sector Partnerships for Urban Poverty Reduction Program or STEP-UP in Malabon City is the Sambal Phase I Homeowners Association (Sambal 1 HOA). The community is located in Acero Libis, Brgy. Tugatog, Malabon City. It has a total land area of 5,719 sq. meters and a total population of 184 member households. Under STEP-UP, Sambal I has undergone series of trainings to capacitate them in handling community projects as well as their organization. Among the prevalent problems of Sambal I are lack of alleys, concrete road network, proper sanitation, waste disposal and inadequate drainage system.

PLDT, through its ULABs donated to Balik Baterya, funded the drainage system project. The drainage will be a combination of culvert and box type canal made of concrete hollow blocks with concrete cover. For areas that are not stable, a concrete hollow blocks riprap will be provided to avoid soil erosion.

To date, a total of 110 meters of the drainage has already been concreted, 28% of the target 486 meters (before and after pictures in one of the portions completed shown here). The HOA has also formulated policies on waste disposal, maintenance and sustainability of the drainage project.

Sambal I was able to mobilize counterpart contributions amounting to
P 69, 284.25 from Oct-Dec 2008. To generate such amount, Sambal I mobilized its members to contribute money give in-kind donations for the lunch and snacks of the laborers. The HOA also collected P50 from the members to pay for the hauling of the landfill materials from the dumping site to the swampy areas. HOA members also agreed to declare Sunday as volunteering day.

The drainage project is just one of the many assistance PLDT has extended to the STEP UP communities in Malabon through the ULABs donated to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program. We will be seeing more in the months to come.

Balik Baterya Gains Momentum in the Visayas

2009-01-18T23:02:00.000-08:00

For pictures and stories, please visit http://pbspvro.blogspot.com (November 26, 2008 blog entry). :)

TB Project for QC and Bulacan PUV Associations Completed

2009-01-18T22:27:00.000-08:00

Also completed in September 2008 is the PLDT/Ramcar, Inc. TB Prevention Project for Public Utility Vehicle Associations in Quezon City and Bulacan.

PBSP, through its Training and Consulting Group, is pleased to report the following accomplishments:
1) Creation of the Brgy. Culiat TB Management Council in Quezon City. To date, 550 community members (mostly mothers and PUV drivers) had been oriented on TB by the council
2) Creation of the Securing Help to Address Respiratory Problems (SHARP), a TB council formed by the Rotary Club of Barasoain, Bulacan State University, Malolos City Health Office and the Federation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association of Malolos, Bulacan, Inc. (FETODAMBI)
3) 20 volunteer educators trained on community-based TB education in Brgy. Culiat
4) 12 officers representing 12 TODA under the FETODAMBI were also trained as TB educators (picture at upper left)
5) 50 tricycle and jeepney drivers were oriented on basic information on TB
6) 12 tricycle and jeepney associations were oriented on TB and the Balik Baterya Program as possible supplementary source of income for the drivers

To ensure sustainability, partnerships were formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement. The MOA stipulated the delineation of tasks among the organizations involved and hopefully, will facilitate complementation of resources among the partners. In Brgy. Culiat, a resolution was passed to institutionalize the TB management council and facilitate budget allocation for implementation of projects on TB.

Balik Baterya TB Program in Payatas Completed

2009-01-18T21:37:00.000-08:00

With the funds generated from PLDT ULABs, PBSP, through its Training and Consulting Group, was able to implement a TB program in hard-to-reach areas of Brgy. Payatas in Quezon City.

The program, which ran from April-September 30, 2008, aimed to support the 3 rural health units (RHUs) of Brgy. Payatas to design and implement a more responsive TB control and prevention program. It is hoped that the intervention will support the barangay to achieve higher TB case detection (currently at 40% versus 80% MDG standard) and cure rates (currently at 50% versus 85% MDG standard). This will eventually lead to increased community knowledge and understanding of TB, reduced TB default rate (which is more than 9%, ideal is at 4%) and improved health-seeking behavior among the residents.

The program’s achievements are as follows:
1) Formed partnership with the Brgy. Payatas Council, Quezon City Health Department and the Barangay Health Centers
2) Conducted rapid assessment of the present TB situation
3) Formed 2 TB Councils and were trained to manage community-based TB programs (TB education, case finding, case holding, reporting and recording)
4) Trained 53 community-based educators
5) Reached 900 households. The trained educators educated the households on basic facts about TB, case finding and case holding.

To ensure sustainability, the program was fully turned over to the TB Council and a Memorandum of Agreement was formally signed last Sept. 30 to clarify the different roles of the barangay council, the health centers and the QC Health Department in implementing and sustaining the program.

Motolite Holds Donors Recognition Night

2008-09-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

A Donors Recognition Night was held last September 4 at the SGV Hall of the AIM Conference Center in Makati City. The company's president, Mr. Ramon Agustines, hosted the night cum dinner.

Around 150 guests from donor companies, partner organizations and prospective supporters gathered to witness the awarding of recognition plaques and the launch of Balik Baterya Program's Project LEAP (Learning Enhancement Assistance Package). PLDT, represented by its Senior Manager for Community Relations, Ms. Evelyn del Rosario, delivered a speech of support to the program on behalf of the donors. A signing of the MOU involving Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation (represented by its President Mr. Ramon Agustines), PBSP (Ms. Isabel C.Y. Cu, Member of the PBSP Luzon Regional Operations Committee), DepEd (Hon. Sec. Jesli Lapus) and DENR (EMB Dir. Julian Amador) highlighted the event.

The evening was capped with a performance by children beneficiaries from PBSP's STEP UP (Strategic Private Sector Partnerships for Urban Poverty Reduction Program) community in Pasig.

Magsaysay Group of Companies Supports Project LEAP

2008-08-31T02:52:00.000-07:00

Last August 22, a ceremonial turn-over ceremony and MOU signing was held to formalize the support of Magsaysay Group of Companies to Balik Baterya Project LEAP.

In the photo are its Chairman Mr. Eduardo Manese and Safety Officer Mr. Samuel Suarez. Representing the Balik Baterya Team are Ramcar, Inc. COO Mr. Roberto Sison and PBSP Luzon Regional Operations Manager Ms. Raffi Domingo.

Magsaysay Group of Companies deploys high quality skilled seafarers for cargo and cruise ships, hospitality service personnel, nurses, caregivers, IT workers, accountants, musicians, and other professionals to meet the personnel needs of world-class companies in the maritime, cruise, hotel and healthcare industries. The company is also engaged in insurance, training, graphic animation and business process outsourcing services.

PLDT ARAL TB Reaches 288 PUV Drivers, Trains 42 TB DOTS Educators

2008-08-09T04:12:00.000-07:00

PBSP Luzon Regional Operations, with the assistance of the Training and Consulting Unit, had recently completed the implementation of the TB Prevention Program for PUV Drivers in STEP UP Areas. A total of 288 PUV drivers (97 in Caloocan City and 191 in Pasig City) were oriented on tuberculosis.

To complement this, 42 individuals from the STEP UP sites were also trained on TB DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short Course) --- the World Health Organization’s prescribed strategy for ensuring proper diagnosis and cure of TB.

After these individuals were equipped with the information and skills on TB education, they were able to facilitate the conduct of 3 echo seminars in their respective homeowners associations (HOAs).

A monitoring and evaluation meeting after 6 months shall be organized to determine the progress of the project in the adopted areas.

The project was made possible through PLDT’s ULAB donation. All savings incurred shall be allocated to PLDT’s infrastructure projects in the company’s adopted STEP UP site in Malabon.

Balik Baterya Supports TB Peer Educators Training

2008-07-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

Last July 17-18, PBSP-Training and Consulting Group conducted a peer educators training for adopted sites in Brgy. Payatas, Quezon City. The training was held in in Loreland Farm Resort, Antipolo.

Fifty-six community members attended the two-day workshop which aims to equip them with the basic information on TB and skills to implement a more responsive TB control and prevention program for hard to reach communities of the barangay.

In 2007, PBSP's TB LINC (Linking Initiatives and Networking to Control Tuberculosis) conducted a survey and one of the priority areas identified is Quezon City. Specifically for Payatas, the barangay has a very low TB case detection rate (40% versus 80% Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) standard) and cure rate (50% versus 85% MDG standard).

The training is funded by PLDT through the Balik Baterya Program. Unilab and Unilever also supported the training through product giveaways.

Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Launched in Visayas

2008-07-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

During the CSR Week in the Visayas, the program was launched with 9 Metro Cebu companies and organizations signing a MOA in support of the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program. They are: Airlift Asia - Cebu, Cebu Daily News, Fairchild Semiconductors, Lear Corporation - Philippine Engineering and Technology Center, Petron Corporation, Shangri-la's Mactan Resort & Spa, Union Bank of the Philippines, Villa del Rio Homeowners' Association, and Wellmade Motors and Development Corporation.

In the Visayas, companies are encouraged to establish learning resource centers in their name by raising at least P40,000 worth of ULABs. Each learning resource center package contains books, instructional materials and a bookshelf.

Balik Baterya's Project LEAP

2008-07-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

This year, the program team decided to enhance the impact of the program by aligning the intiative to the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). Thus, the core area that will be supported by funds from donated used lead acid batteries will go to education.

The program's Project LEAP or Learning Enhancement Assistance Package aims to improve basic education in the Philippines through 1) provision of text/workbooks, 2) training of teachers, 3) supplemental feeding and 4) conduct of reading camps.

With your support to the Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program, you help achieve a Cleaner Environment, Better Learning, Brighter Future.

The Program Partners

2008-07-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ramcar's Philippine Batteries, Inc.

PBI is the country's largest manufacturer, exporter and distributor of automotive, industrial, valve-regulated, and motorcycle battery products. It pioneered the lead-acid battery business and continues to provide power solutions to individuals and businesses for close to 90 years.

Philippine Business for Social Progress

PBSP is the largest corporate-led, non-profit, social development in the country. From its initial 50 corporate members in 1970, PBSP's membership has grown to more than 230 companies.

Philippine Recyclers, Inc.

PRI is the largest and most advanced battery recycling facility in the Philippines. PRI is ISO 14001 and 9002-certified.